Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Beginner - Intermediate

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Tauherenikau Gorge Track

Featherston, Wellington

Submitted by Mike Tennent

Last Updated: 21st Sep 2023

Beginner - Intermediate

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I've done it Done

Open

Grunt Factor: 12 ?

Gnarl Factor: 45 ?

5.2km

375m

360m

291m

  

  

  

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Trail Map

Type of Run

Front country - easily accessible

Out and Back

Very hilly

Native bush

Riverside

Run Makeup

45%
35%
20%

Easy Single Track

Moderate Single Track

Technical Single Track

Average Uphill Gradient: +14.1%

Average Downhill Gradient: -13.6%

Trailhead

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Estimated Times to Run

Not suitable

Slow

1:00

Moderate

0:45

Fast

A very straightforward trail, head from the carpark and onto the trail past the "River Access" sign. Follow the single trail up and up and up (and the usual orange markers) for 900 metres until you come to a trail split. Take the right hand trail marked "River access" again. From here the trail quality gets a fair bit more technical as it descends, so take your time. There are a couple of culvert crossings, with one, at first glance, appearing to be unpassable. However if you look downstream you will see a pink ribbon and the new exit trail. At about 2 - 2.3km there is another trail split, a bit less obvious this one, but you are taking the right hand trail down to the river - when you look you will see the orange triangle. Once you get to the river, it's up to you... looks a great spot for a swim. Or just have a look around. Then retrace you route to the start.

Some great views and the river at the turnaround.

Lots of space to park

8 km

10 minutes

Unknown

No

Easy.

Very patchy.

Waterproof leggings, Thermal leggings, Long-sleeved thermal top, Seam-sealed waterproof jacket, Windproof jacket, Gloves, Beanie/thermal headwear, Personal Locator Beacon (PLB), Whistle, First aid kit, Extra food for emergencies, Survival bag, Cellphone, Map.

Minimal water on the trail, one stream crossing where (dependent on season) you may be able to get water. The river of course at halfway is an obvious option.

The technical sections of this track look like they could be treacherous in wet muddy conditions. Many of them slope quite a bit an would be difficult to navigate past if slippery. There are several smallish stream crossings that wouldn't be any trouble unless in flood.

Technical trail in abundance... many places where trail is wet even in dry conditions and the previously mentioned severely sloping trail. Not to many problems if care is exercised.

Trail Legend

Richele McKenzie

Richele McKenzie

has completed Tauherenikau Gorge Track once in the last year.

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Trail Reviews

This track is best done after a period of dry weather. We hiked it after rain and it was treacherously slippery. The first part of the track is lovely and I can imagine the river would be great to swim in during Summer. Be aware, the initial track signage was hidden behind scrub when we were there.

Richele McKenzie

April 12, 2023

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